Comments (0) Best Volunteer - 2009
Missy Fish
Missy Fish was 39 years old and volunteering at a health fair pushing the importance of mammograms on women when she took her own advice and got a test herself. With no prior family history of breast cancer or symptoms to speak of, she was shocked when the result came back positive. She was fortunate enough to catch the illness early, before chemo or radiation was required. The episode inspired Fish to get to work helping others. Described as "dynamic," "a complete go-getter," "someone who always finishes whatever she starts," Fish came up with an event called Celebrate Fitness, a once-a-year morning workout held on the campus of Washington University that has raised more than $700,000 for breast-cancer research since its inception in 1997. This past March nearly 1,300 women and men participated. For $30 to $35, participants get their choice of workout — boot camp, yoga, water aerobics, walking and more — and get to feel extra-good about sweating. All funds raised go to Wash. U.'s Siteman Cancer Center, and specifically the Young Women's Breast Cancer Program. In 2005 Fish survived a second occurrence of breast cancer, but that didn't stop her. Not only does Fish still co-chair Celebrate Fitness, she has also developed a similar fundraising event, a pet walk called Celebrate Spot.
